768.5–MAP/8–351
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Secretary of State1
Subject: US-Yugoslav relations
| Participants: | The Secretary |
| Vladimir Popovic, Yugoslav Ambassador | |
| Mirko Bruner, First Secretary, Yugoslav Embassy | |
| John C. Campbell, EE |
Ambassador Popovic called at his request on his return from a month’s visit to Yugoslavia. He said that he wished to convey the gratitude and appreciation of Marshal Tito and the Yugoslav Government for the understanding which the US Government had shown for Yugoslavia and for the general improvement in relations between the two countries. He said that this feeling of appreciation was felt by the people of Yugoslavia as well as the government.
Military Assistance. The Ambassador stated that his government was pleased with the reception which had been given to General Koca Popovic in the US. He stressed the importance of Yugoslavia’s immediate need for military equipment, stating that they had trained men ready to fight in case of an attack who need only more and better weapons to fight with. He reiterated that Yugoslavia would resist aggression from any quarter. Referring to the technical military talks scheduled to begin on August 6,2 he said that he hoped that the US look upon these talks from the political as well as the military viewpoint, having in mind Yugoslavia’s present role in common efforts to maintain peace and deter aggression. I replied that we would certainly continue to keep in mind the political aspects in the forthcoming discussions and in dealing with the entire [Page 1837] problem of military assistance. On the latter subject I mentioned the Ambassador’s note of June 28 requesting arms aid.3 I said that the Department had been taking the necessary steps required by legislation, namely consultation with other Western governments and with certain committees of Congress, and that this was now nearly completed; consequently we would be in a position to reply to the Ambassador’s note in the very near future. I added that we would very soon be approaching his government with proposals for a bilateral agreement covering the provision of arms assistance.
The Ambassador then referred to the fact that General Koca Popovic had stopped in London and Paris on his way home for talks with the British and French. He said that, while the reception had been wholly sympathetic, from the practical standpoint Yugoslavia would have to look principally to the US for military aid. He said that the French were prepared to provide only some captured German equipment which, while it might have a high value in terms of money, would be of limited value to Yugoslavia in terms of the actual needs for equipment. I said that we had been in touch with the British and French Governments on the general subject of arms aid for Yugoslavia, and that I should be glad to help in any appropriate way the conclusion of mutually satisfactory arrangements between those governments and Yugoslavia.
Invitations to General Collins and Mr. Harriman. Ambassador Popovic said that he had talked over with his government the question of the visit of General Collins to Yugoslavia and that the Yugoslav Government would be glad to have the General come. He asked that I inform General Collins accordingly. I said that I would do so and would ascertain whether the General wished to reply directly or through the Department. The Ambassador also stated that his government would welcome a visit by Mr. Averell Harriman to Yugoslavia, this possibility having been raised in discussions with Mr. Harriman at the time General Popovic was here. I replied that Mr. Harriman was now in Iran and might be there for some time, but that in any case I would communicate the invitation to him.
Economic Aid. The Ambassador said that the food and other US aid which Yugoslavia had received was greatly appreciated but added that very urgent needs still existed. He said that Yugoslavia would be unable to wait for the enactment of general foreign aid legislation here and urgently required some interim assistance in the neighborhood of $37 million. He said that this was necessary to prevent the closing of factories and disruption of the economy. He said that Yugoslavia also needed some help in regard to the procurement [Page 1838] of certain items here with funds already made available. In this connection he cited steel as having involved particular difficulties. I said that on general questions of economic aid I regarded the situation as encouraging. I said that we were aware of Yugoslavia’s need for interim aid and were seeing what could be done about it; on this the Department probably would be communicating with the Ambassador shortly. As to steel, I said that I was not fully acquainted with the situation but suggested that the Embassy present the facts fully to the Department, which was anxious to be helpful in this matter. On the subject of longer term aid I said that the situation also appeared to be encouraging. I mentioned that I had received some good reports from Belgrade in regard to discussions there with the British and French Embassies and with the Yugoslav Government laying down the lines of cooperation for the contemplated plan of economic assistance. I indicated also that economic aid to Yugoslavia was included in the mutual security program now before the Congress.
As he left the Ambassador repeated his expressions of appreciation for the understanding and the assistance given to his country by the US.